Seagoth
Seagoth brings a fresh experimental Psychedelic sound to the Liverpool scene. Formed in 2019, their first release ‘Internet Cafe’ is composed of a beautiful cyclical melody, partnered with dreamy vocals that absorb your focus.
The recent release of their first album ‘How to stay wide awake’ engenders in us great excitement for the future, with their electronic Indie sound being reminiscent of the likes of MGMT. Having also played a number of memorable live performances this year, Seagoth has become one of the most interesting acts on the Merseyside underground scene.
Review by Joe Brereton
MALCOLM
Making waves Manchester scene, up-and-coming Indie outfit MALCOLM channel the intensity of the city's iconic musical heritage, blended with a fresh, modern edge. Their latest release, ‘All the Time’, is bold, captivating, and unapologetic track, featuring sharp riffs and infectious chords.
Frontman Caz Donaghy’s vocals punctuate the song, perfectly mirroring the raw intensity of the instrumentals. A moody bassline, reminiscent of Fontaines D.C. is becoming a distinctive hallmark of their sound. Currently supporting The K’s on their UK tour, MALCOLM are rapidly making a name for themselves as one of the most exciting new acts around.
Review by Liv Gatrell
Issy Sutcliffe
Manchester’s Issy Sutcliffe has been causing a commotion across the North. Releasing a series of feisty and relatable singles over the last year, her music has garnered immense support.
Her latest releases ‘Community Guidelines’ and ‘The Cost of Living’ are some of her catchiest tunes which have had their live debuts across fantastic live shows in the region. Having played Neighbourhood Festival this year, Issy and her band are going from strength to strength and proving repeatedly that she’s here to stay.
Review by Eve Waterhouse
Dylan Robert
Growing up just minutes away from John Lennon’s childhood home, singer-songwriter Dylan Robert is a fast growing member of Liverpool’s music scene, with his songs blurring the lines between an Alternative city-swagger and the melodic sensibilities of Pop.
There is an emotional intensity found in Dylan’s music, capturing you with his devastatingly soulful vocals. With his latest single ‘Harper’s tune’ (dedicated to his childhood friend and producer) listeners can really grasp Dylan’s immense talent on guitar, as the same haunting riff lingers throughout the song. Although Dylan’s musical success has just begun this year, we cannot wait for more.
Review by Ella Wynne
Miles Temp
With five releases under his belt at only 17 years old, unsigned Indie singer-songwriter Miles Temp is already making waves in the Merseyside music scene. The softly romantic and mystical tones of recent single ‘Heartbeat’ truly showcase Miles’ potential. Hard-hitting lyrical breakdowns run through his discography, and are cathartically paired with an acoustic style akin to the early work of Cavetown and Frankie Cosmos.
In the aftermath of a locked-in performance at The Jacaranda Basement for Liverpool Sound City 2024, Miles’ vulnerability is bound to pull at the heartstrings of his listeners as he navigates Liverpool’s emerging artist radar.
Review by Michaela Roper
Georgia Johnson
Georgia Johnson is a growing presence in the Merseyside music scene, drawing listeners in with her music that is soft, beautiful and delicate but with an underlying power. There is a tremulous vulnerability to her voice which captures something raw and fragile, surging beneath the tide of sound.
Some of her singles swell with the addition of stringed instruments, while others are carried forward by lively guitars, straddling the line between Folk and Alternative music. Her ‘Bearhug’ EP showcased the intricacies of her emotive storytelling and highlighted both her lyrical and performative qualities.
Words by Emily Warner
BARSTAFF
BARSTAFF’s 2024 EP, 'Robbing A Living', boasts a harmonious blend of Indie-Pop with a Rock finesse that is reminiscent of the early 00s Indie sleaze that we are still yearning for.
From start to finish, the EP is quick to snap your attention, from the punchy riff of ‘OH!, CD’ to Ben’s playful opening vocals on ‘Telephone Tuff Guy‘. Their infectious sound outpours an abundance of head bangers and high energy, yet, slower tracks like 'Mouse Song' show off their versatility too.
Review by Evie Thomas
Megan Wyn
Megan Wyn, Welsh-born singer and songwriter, possesses a voice beyond her years. The velvet rasp of her vocals gives each song a distinct, dreamy sound yet she’s not afraid to experiment, and her music sways between styles.
There is a distinct warmth to her unique take on Indie-Pop which revels in musical experimentation and conjures a feeling of nostalgia. Her four new singles since her sonic reinvention have showcased a more mature songwriter with ever-increasing performative power.
Review by Emily Warner
Hannah Mazey
Wigan-native Hannah Mazey is smashing her way into the music scene and has undoubtedly been one of the best breakthrough acts in the North West this year. Her single ‘LITTLE BOYS’ is full of powerful yet considered vocals with the layered outro providing a satisfying peak to this brilliantly tongue-in-cheek track.
Hannah's full discography exhibits her wide vocal range, demonstrating her ability to move fluidly between soulful guitar ballads like ‘Without a Trace’ to Indie Rock hits such as ‘PRETENTIOUS’ and ‘Pieces’. Having already made her radio debut, playing live for BBC Merseyside in September and preparing for her headline tour in early 2025, it’s safe to say Hannah Mazey is one to watch!
Review by Olivia Samuelian Hadfield
Stan Buckroyd
2024’s been a vital year for Stan Buckroyd, releasing his new EP ‘ADEROL SPRITZ’, it’s clear he’s making a bold statement in the Indie scene. Blending upbeat melodies with concentrated and passionate vocals, he can certainly create a narrative.
His ability to write relatable lyrics ignites an excitement and curiosity for listeners and won over a great deal of fans with his performances on The Voice UK this year. Mixing emotional intensity and making it exciting is not easy, but Stan seems to do it effortlessly. His discography highlights he’s not only established a name for himself but gives us a taste of what’s to come next.
Review by Matilda Jane Sangster
The Rolling People
The Rolling People have been churning out bangers in 2024, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they’re not putting thought into their releases. Each new single has grown in maturity and songwriting craft while capturing the energy of Brit Pop anthems.
With a big guitar sound and thumping choruses, fans of The Reytons and Catfish and the Bottlemen will love songs like ‘This Much is True’ and newest single ‘Reign’. Amassing almost 20k monthly listeners on Spotify, and with headline shows booked in Manchester and London for the end of December, The Rolling People will be headlining festivals before you know it.
Review by Beth Turner
Astles
Hopelessly romantic and tinged with contemporary nostalgia, Astles’ music is a pastel-tinted mix of sad boy vibes and fairground charm. Despite his melancholic sound, Daniel Astles himself radiates warmth, his tender songwriting carried by a voice as warm as milky tea and feeling like a quiet celebration of life’s bittersweet moments.
Astles crafts songs that feel both personal and cinematic, and his latest single any kind is sonically and lyrically stunning. With highlights like supporting Bill Ryder-Jones and a standout performance at The Great Escape, Astles continues to enchant with his unmistakable sound.
Review by Em Wills
18. Roscoe Street
Roscoe Street have taken all the spirit of your typical youthful Indie band but infused it with a brass-led vibrancy more associated with underground Jazz acts. They tell tales of getting drunk and plunging head first into your overdraft, sentiments that bring to mind The Streets and early Arctic Monkeys.
However, they deliver these lyrical themes with a much greater finesse and smooth melodic finish that the laddy Indie bands of the 00s. The bold brass additions then add a tasty Indie Funk flavour that will make you want to dance the night away.
Review by James Booton
Aimee & The Parade
Moody Shoegazers Aimee & The Parade distil the sound of the 90s into their stunning live performances which have become widely talked about in the North-West. With the capability of creating both gloomy Shoegaze soundscapes and grittier Grunge-Rock outbursts, their versatility showcases their tonal and atmospheric control.
This is then topped off with an infectious performative quality that sees them thrash around the stage, inciting mosh pits yet drawing you in with lucid, sultry movements when a tender touch is needed. One of the most talked about live acts across the region this year and definitely one to watch in 2025.
Review by James Booton
16. Pet Snake
Always sweet, sometimes bitter, Pet Snake makes music for those of us coming of age all over again. The solo project of Evelyn Halls (Clean Cut Kid) fuses Indie Folk and Grungey Pop with raw emotion, hazy guitars and gut wrenching lyrics.
Her dreamy vocals feel like a light of dawn at the end of a long night. Fearlessly honest, her music creates a space for reflection and healing that feels both intimate and universal.
Review by Em Wills
Umarells
Umarells are a band that possess notable talent when it comes to producing smooth sweet-sounding tracks. This mellow Mancunian five-piece continue to impress the music scene with the release of their debut EP ‘One More Day’.
It is a mix of powerful yet felicitous guitar sounds with glassy synths that seamlessly accompany Imogen Badrock’s dreamy melodies, creating their unique, warm tone. They capture the balance of a soothing style whilst maintaining punchy basslines and a captivating beat. Prepare to be taken on a melodic journey while you explore their growing discography.
Review by Toby Lill
Ugly Jumper
Ugly Jumper are, in their own words "a band for the virgin losers, the middle aged boozers and the baby boomers" but even those who don’t slot into one of these categories will appreciate their melodious Midwest (or North West?) emo-inspired music.
Their latest release, ‘little man/BIG POND’, is wry and playful, yet its humour is underpinned by the band’s characteristic vulnerability and introspectiveness. Their dizzying riffs and visceral vocal harmonies encapsulate the soreness of nostalgia and their live shows have become renowned across Liverpool.
Review by Joanne Parry
Dayzy
Dayzy has definitely become one of our favourite Scouse newcomers this year. He manages to create a perfect tone through mixing the calming atmospheres of Jazz, underneath dynamic rapping and Hip-hop beats with a vibrant New Skool style that we cannot get enough of.
Bringing Congolese culture to Liverpool, the EP ‘Land of Zion’ released this September perfectly captures this harmony of genres, challenging the system through his unique and raw style. The EP starts off in a chilled manor, gradually becoming more energetic whilst soothing undertones infuse each track, from the soft rap vocals in ‘L’africa Steppers’, to the vocal echoes that float you into the clouds in ‘Dreamers Dream’.
Review by Annalyse Slater-Jones
May Payne
The five tracks off May Payne’s 2024 EP 'High Demand' are a poetic cumulation of sentiments reflecting on the emotional turbulence of May's past relationship. It is a cathartic Indie-Folk experience that has hints of the songwriting of Bob Dylan and Van Morrison. May's heart-wrenching nostalgia is elevated by orchestral waves and the included voice memos from her summer, with these offering an intimacy and authenticity characteristic of May's songwriting.
‘Lantern Flies’, is a poignant highlight of the EP; an honest ode to May's strange magic and the agony of finite love, opening a window into the introspective Folk melody, which beautifully blends melancholy with frustration and desperation with nostalgia. 'High Demand' invites you to share in a poignant stream of consciousness, exploring intense love and identity with honesty and tender intimacy.
Review by Maili Jordan
Sefeltt
Having already contributed greatly to the north-west scene under their previous moniker Juno, Seflett have rebranded and are delving into a new aesthetic, capturing the pure essence of Alternative Rock - a unique concoction of electrifying guitars and vocal texture that explores a new, grittier sound.
With lead vocalist Max Mullen producing only the purest of literature, guitarists Ben Coles and George Vinall providing their devastatingly enthralling riffs, Tom Greathead maintaining his truly rhythmic bassline, and drummer Will Clawson’s talented hands completely flooring our senses, this band’s inevitable success is gaining on us all.
Review by Zak Dingleberry
10. Catbandcat
Manchester’s quirky Alt-Pop outfit Catbandcat have emerged this year with their debut singles ‘Giv£ M£ Mon£Y’, ‘Creature of the Sea’ and 'East Wing'. The singles create a swirling web of abstract sounds, from electronics and trance-like beats, to intimate Folk tones or sharp string sections and brooding lead vocals in a style reminiscent of Jockstrap, bursting with artistic flair and intrigue.
‘Creature of the Sea’ is a great example of their range, beginning as a more traditional Art-Folk track with beautiful vocal harmonies comparable to Divorce. Yet, it then reveals an instrumental vibrancy that really sets it apart as an off-kilter drum rhythm merges with synths, strings and an accordion for a really rich backing. The track then grows into a crazy haze of sonic complexity as their love for abstract electronics takes hold once more. There’s so much to unpick in their music and we can’t wait for more in 2025.
Review by James Booton
9. Alright (Okay)
Perhaps the most visceral live performers on Merseyside, Alright (Okay) completely take the shackles off themselves and everyone in attendance at their live shows. This year, they have managed to capture this live energy on record whilst also letting their catchy grooves and chantable vocal chorus’ shine through.
'Boyz Noize' is a beautifully dense, riff-heavy track that bursts into life with frantic energy that'll get even the most reserved of music lovers nodding their heads. Meanwhile, 'Elevator Etiquette' allows the vocals of frontman Alex Usher to really shine as he spits angsty lines with a Punk-spirted venom that makes you feel like you are right their in the room with him as he prowls around the stage with his trademark live intensity.
Review by James Booton
8. Bayboards
Bayboards are an enthralling Manchester-based Indie Rock outfit that anyone interested in guitar music should be tuning in to listen to. They've been making waves in the live scene this year and rounded 2024 off with a huge show at Manchester Academy 2.
Following in the footsteps of artists such as Dayglow and The Wombats they are creating a feel-good, buoyant vibe that is difficult to not dance along to, with songs like ‘Moving to America’ and ‘How I Wish I Was Cool’ which are full of riffs and lyrics any Indie kid would eat up. The energy of their renowned live performances solidifies this even more. Bayboards will be having large festival crowds bouncing in no time.
Review by Cameron Arbuthnot
7. Bonk!
You never quite know what’s going to happen next with a Bonk! song. You listen, enraptured and excited to find out what they could possibly do to switch it up and every time it goes somewhere unexpected.
They expertly meld beats and rhythms into each other that, on paper, would no doubt look like chaos. It is chaos - but in the absolute best way. The funky basslines and riffs keep you grounded whilst compelling you to dance. Their songs are best served in a sweaty and hazy underground venue, lukewarm pint in hand, loving life.
Review by Tabitha Rowland
6. Georgian
Manchester’s Georgian have become well known across the city for their absorbing blend of Western-Psychedlia and spellbinding live performances. The delicate vocals of Georgia McKiernan have a depth to them, as if they are emerging from a time long gone to tell tales that have faded from the memory of anyone alive today. She delivers each line with a haunting caress, taking hints from the great Folk and Soul greats.
Their debut single ‘Big Lips In Leather’ immediately impressed us with its ability to build from a tender, contemplative sound to a grand, dramatic finale. Recently, things have been moving fast for Georgian. Fresh of signing for tastemaker label Heist or Hit they have just released their second single ‘Soleil’, a brooding track full of soul. We can't wait to hear more in 2025.
Review by James Booton
5. Hungry
One of our favourite live bands in the North-West, Manchester’s Indie-Punk outfit Hungry returned recently with their new single 'Sick of It'. Immediately as you press play on the new single you’re met with a fast-moving bassline and a frenzied drumbeat. Pulse-raising and rage-stricken, with hard, barked vocals that spiral in an intense concoction of equal parts hurt and rage, bitterly sparring with and interrogating the listener.
The single carries with it a burden of disillusionment, but rather than being overwhelmed by hopelessness the single’s overriding feel of demoralisation is incensed by an overtone of defiance, characterising it as a punchy musical manifestation of the kind of furious outburst that comes after being pushed over the edge. Clocking in at a blunt 2 minutes and 21 seconds, 'Sick of It' is a short but sweet dose of loud, righteous, urgent, bitter anger.
Review by Ava Williams
4. Chloe Slater
Manchester-based Chloe Slater vibrates the scene with her electrifying voice and magnetic persona. She creates a glowing fusion of Indie Rock and Alternative Pop through her introspective and irresistibly catchy tunes, with currents of punchy rhythms and sonic shimmering riffs.
Her artistry tackles broad societal issues with an observational edge, yet she still intertwines an individual sense of love, identity and self-growth, and the complexities that arise alongside these. Her ability to overlap the personal and the political, whilst remaining connected to her audience by building a huge TikTok following, allows her music to resonate with listeners from all corners of the scene.
Review by Rachel Puk
3. TTSSFU
With the release of her latest EP, ‘Me, Jed and Andy’ earlier this year, DIY-Shoegazer TTSSFU, AKA Tasmin Stephens, provides a fantastic snapshot into the kind of music we can expect from her going forward.
From ‘I Hope You Die’ and ‘Studio 54’s infectious riffs and powerful deliveries, to the gossamer-thin vocals and distortion-heavy guitars of ‘Jed’ and ’Asexual’, Tasmin, musically, comes into her own, expressing a wonderful a command of texture, tone and aesthetic throughout the EP. Lyrically, her use of Andy Warhol’s relationship as an expression of anger and disappointment in failed relationships provides a cursory glimpse at a brilliantly talented songwriter, whose growth we can’t wait to see unfold.
Review by Shashi Shankara
2. Shefu
After emerging in 2023, angsty Alternative Rockers Shefu are making waves in the North-west music scene. Their captivating live performances have already earned them support slots for the likes of Red Rum Club, Crawlers, Hinds and The Subways and their debut single was used as the song for Liverpool Football Club’s kit launch back in August, tying them closely to the city’s cultural scene.
Their refreshingly rebellious lyricism and driving instrumentation has a dark, grungy edge that serves as an ode to iconic ‘90s Alt Rock, best displayed in their latest release 'Do You Want My Number?', a viciously sassy anthem. With plenty of new music on the way they are on track for big things in 2025.
Review by Kat McGrattan
1. vincent's last summer
vincent’s last summer are putting out sweet n’ sour Post-Punk bops oozing with personality. They pair some deliciously sardonic lyrics with bouncy, danceable beats making for some un-seriously serious listening. The commentary featured in their lyrics is decidedly barbed, but is simultaneously witty and acerbic enough as to not be completely fatalistic.
The result is a delightfully laid-back, self-aware sort of sonic fun. Their ‘GET RICH QUICK!’ EP is characterised by this sleek, sometimes fun, sometimes blasé but ultimately cynical attitude, making for a solid, thought-provoking 6-track collection that highlights vincent’s last summer as one of the most promising acts in the North-West right now.
Review by Ava Williams
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